• Spiritually protect the body.
• Support, pray and encourage the staff and pastors.
• Promote a Christ-centered environment.
• Provide equipping and encouragement to the people.
• Be an example of a devoted Christ follower.
• Help with correction and discipline when needed.

The qualifications for an elder are found in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7:

1 This is a trustworthy saying:  "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."  2  So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach.  He must be faithful to his wife.  He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.  He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.  3  He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent.  He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.  4  He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.  5  For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?  6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.  7  Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.